Navigant Research Report Outlines the Drivers for Energy Cloud Platforms and Provides Recommendations for Utilities on Creating an Agile Platform

A utility's digital transformation must maximize the value in the
Energy Cloud

A new report from Navigant
Research examines the drivers for Energy Cloud platforms, the issues
that utilities may face when building platforms, the benefits of digital
transformations and agile platforms, as well as the importance of new
business models that enable utilities to embrace the new value created
by distributed energy resources (DER).

In Navigant's Energy
Cloud 4.0 white paper, the company discussed how Energy Cloud
platforms will support the business models required by a clean,
intelligent, mobile, and distributed energy system. The transition to a
network orchestrator model shifts utilities' attention to new business
models including transactive energy, DER aggregation, solar PV
installations, and more, based on geographic location, customer needs,
and regulatory requirements. Click
to tweet: A new report from @NavigantRSRCH
outlines the drivers for Energy Cloud platforms and provides
recommendations for utilities on creating an agile platform.

"While many recognize the need for an Energy Cloud platform, few have a
complete understanding of what this means in practice," says Stuart
Ravens, principal research analyst with Navigant. "Utilities lacking a
coherent platform strategy risk being left behind and missing out on the
new revenue opportunities the Energy Cloud offers."

According to the report, to maximize the value of the opportunities in
the Energy Cloud platform, utilities must be agile in their digital
transformations and able to change approaches to platform adoption.
Navigant offers several recommendations to utilities building Energy
Cloud platforms—assess organizational abilities, ensure the platform
incorporates agile features and functionality, align the platform with
long-term strategic objectives, integrate the platform with legacy IT
infrastructure, and create a long-term partner ecosystem.

This Navigant Research report, Creating
an Agile Energy Cloud Platform, examines the drivers for
Energy Cloud platforms and the issues that utilities may face when
building a platform. The study explores the benefits of digital
transformations and agile platforms, as well as the importance of new
business models that enable utilities to embrace the new value created
by DER. It also provides practical recommendations for utilities on how
to create an agile Energy Cloud platform. An Executive Summary of the
report is available for free download on the Navigant
Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides
market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often
highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research
focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology
markets. The team's research methodology combines supply-side industry
analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep
examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the
Energy Technologies, Utility Transformations, Transportation
Efficiencies, and Buildings Innovations sectors. Additional information
about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services
firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigant's
professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical
expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage
and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and
clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or
legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare,
energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory,
consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigant's
practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and
delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found
at navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the
report, Creating an Agile Energy Cloud Platform, is a summary and
reflects Navigant Research's current expectations based on market data
and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently
uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained
in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for
a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report's
conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither
Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any
of the information contained in this press release or the report.